New Ulm (Minn.) Public Schools does not employ a full-time athletic trainer. Instead, the district sources athletic trainers from Allina Health to come to schools for sports practices and games. However, this arrangement is proving costly as well, with fees set to increase by more than $10,000 in the next year.
According to The Journal, New Ulm Public Schools used to pay just $2,915 in one school year for access to athletic trainers via Allina Health. That price was only 8-10% of the total cost of bringing in the athletic trainers.
Faced with newfound financial pressure and increasing insurance premiums, Allina Health increased the fees this school year. Now, New Ulm pays roughly 50% of the total cost to bring in an athletic trainer, or $20,000. Next year, that price could rise to over $30,000.
“Allina states that (next year’s fees) will still only be 78% of their overall cost. We’ve met with Allina a couple times this year in hopes of coming up with a way to use in-kind marketing to offset rising costs,” said Sean Koster, New Ulm Public Schools superintendent.
“New marketing opportunities with the school district might help us,” said Carisa Buegler, director of operations at New Ulm Medical Center. “We have a great partnership with the schools that we’re trying to find a more collaborative partnership. We’re trying to avoid jumping to the school paying 80% of athletic trainer fees.”
At the top of the list for these ‘marketing opportunities’ would be a stadium or gymnasium naming rights deal.
Koster confirmed with the school board this week that the school district’s insurance costs are set to increase next year as well, further complicating the budget for an athletic trainer. The district “went out to the market to bid and will know more in April, [they’re] keeping our options open to keep insurance premiums down.”
The healthcare group is looking into additional in-kind services that could alleviate the financial pressure for both the New Ulm Schools and Allina Health.
